Rawken Sushi in Pomona can extend hours of alcohol sales

POMONA -- A downtown businessman will be able to sell alcohol at his sushi restaurant for 30 minutes longer.

City Council members voted 5-2 Monday night to allow John Pena to sell alcohol at Rawken Sushi, on East Second Street, until 2 a.m.

The two opposing votes were cast by councilmen John Nolte and Freddie Rodriguez.

The restaurant, which opened early this year, has been serving alcohol until 1:30 a.m.

Community Development Director Mark Lazzaretto said Tuesday that Pena could begin the new hours immediately.

A representative of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control said the 1:30 a.m. cut-off was set by the city and that moving the alcohol sales cutoff to 2 a.m. is still within the department's regulations.

City Council members set the 1:30 a.m. limit as a way to address problems that included fights and arrests for public intoxication associated with a pizza restaurant that had previously occupied the location.

Pena told council members he is authorized to operate until 4 a.m. but could only serve alcohol until 1:30 a.m. He said his business has not been a source of problems.

"I think I've done everything I'm supposed to do," Pena said.

Councilwoman Paula Lantz said she thought Pena had demonstrated that he has managed the business responsibly and should be given the additional time.

Nolte said he didn't think the council should increase the hours when alcohol is served because other establishments may also seek 2 a.m. deadlines.

Businesses should stagger the hours they stop liquor sales each evening to make sure there aren't large groups of people leaving at the same time, he said.

Police recommended keeping the 1:30 a.m. cutoff at Rawken Sushi, according to a city staff report.

Having staggered hours allows police to make sure the clientele of one or more establishments have left downtown in an orderly fashion before another group leaves, Capt. Mike Ellis said.

Councilwoman Cristina Carrizosa said if Pena was operating properly he shouldn't be penalized by being forced to suspend alcohol sales for the evening before other similar businesses.

"He's doing everything by the book. We should not be punishing him," she said.